this is big, because the u.s. is very hungry for a win, but japan's hungry too. >> reporter: yeah, they absolutely are. the u.s. hasn't won this cup since last century, fred. since 1999. and they really have that good opportunity to do it now. they have a magical team. they're talented, they have very skilled players, they're determined, they have this never say die attitude. they hustle out there on the pitch. i watched the players practice and got to talk to them too. they feel pretty confident. they feel good, they feel it's their time. listen to how they put it. >> america likes championships. they like winners, they like comebacks. and i think we are the epitome of the american spirit. this team, we're full of fighters, we play with passion. and, you know, we feel all the support back home, around the world. we feel powerful with that support. >> now, obviously we're on the eve of one of the biggest games of our lives. but it's the game of soccer. we've done it thousands of times before. i know that the japan